Fitting



May 20, 1941. L. ARMBRUSTER FITTING Filed June 20, 1940 76 INVENTOR Leopold firmbrustw WITNESSES BY W m9" ATTORNEYS Patented May 20, 1941 UNETED STATES PATENT @FFIQE FITTING Leopoid Armbruster, New York, N. Y.

Application June 20, 1940, Serial No. 341,400

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improved fitting, particularly a fitting for use in connection with electrical fixtures.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fitting of the above character which provides for pivotal movement through a relatively large arc and which has ample space in the interior thereof for the accommodation of electrical wires throughout all of the pivotal positions of the device.

A further object is the provision of an improved fitting for electrical fixtures or the like in which the parts may shift or pivot, which is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, which may be readily assembled and disassembled, and which does not require the use of removable fastening means for holding the parts together.

Another object is the provision of an improved fitting having several parts which pivot with respect to each other in which the parts are held in assembled relation in an improved manner so that they may be readily taken apart when desired but so that they will be firmly held in assembled relationship under normal operating conditions.

In the accompanying drawing- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a fitting embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line 22 of Fig. 3 of the fitting;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at 90 degrees to Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view through the fitting in the direction of the arrows on the line 2- 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the several parts before they have been assembled; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a collar that may be employed for retaining the parts in assembled relationship.

My improved fitting, which is indicated generally by the numeral It, comprises a pair of similar cup-shaped portions H arranged in confronting spaced relationship between which is disposed the ring member i2 which may pivot or rotate through a relatively large arc with respect to the members I I. The cup-shaped members Il may vary in form but are preferably of concavo-convex shape as shown and each merges at its lower end with a tapered neck portion M. The portions M are complementary so that when the cup-shaped members are arranged in confronting relationship as shown in the drawing the members l4 form a tapered neck of the general shape of a truncated cone. ends the neck portions M are provided with similar matching threads i5 and beneath that a flange E6 of reduced thickness is provided. The function of flange it will be herein-after described.

The ring member i2 is preferably in the form of a substantially circular band open at the top and of such a size and shape that when it is positioned between the two members H a substantially ball-shaped fitting is provided. To hold the ring-shaped member in position between the members H I provide the ring-shaped member with a laterally projecting flange ll, of reduced thickness, on each side thereof, the inner surface of the flanges being fiush'with the inner surface of the remainder of the ring shaped member and the outer surface of the flanges being offset with respect thereto so as to form a stepped ledge on each side thereof.

In assembling the ring shaped device between the cup-shaped members H the flanges ll are projected inside the respective cup-shaped members. It will thus be seen that when the cupshaped members are clamped in position the ring-shaped portion may project with respect thereto but the flanges will retain the ring-shaped device against accidental separation from the remainder of the fitting. The upper portion of the ring-shaped member is opened and is provided with a cylindrical collar I8 which is preferably internally threaded as shown.

To retain the fitting in assembled relationship I provide a collar IS the lower portion of which is internally threaded as indicated at 20, the upper portion being unthreaded and of greater diameter. The ring-shaped member is positioned between the two cup-shaped members and the collar 19 is then threaded to the tapered depending neck portion M. Due to the tapered formation of the neck portions [4, as the collar is threaded upwardly, it will be seen that the upper portion thereof engages the neck, forcing the cup-shaped portions I towards each other causing them to more firmly clamp the ring-shaped member I2 in position.

After the collar It has been assembled around the neck portions the flanges It may be expanded outwardly substantially at right angles to the remainder of the neck portion so as to prevent the collar from being removed therefrom. In Fig. 5 the flanges [6 are shown in their initial position before the collar has been screwed in position. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the flanges are shown as expanded outwardly to prevent removal of the Near their lower collar. The length of neck portion 14 is greater than the width of the collar l9 so that the collar may be retracted sufiiciently to release the direct pressure and engagement between the upper portion of the collar and the neck portions. When this engagement is released the two cup-shaped members I i may be shifted outwardly away from each other so as to permit the insertion and removal of the ring-shaped member l2. When the ring-shaped member has been properly assembled with regard to the cup-shaped member the collar may be tightened so as to hold the several parts firmly in position. To facilitate turning of the collar it may be provided with wings or lugs as indicated at 22.

So as to provide adequate clearance for wires inside of the fitting, the ring-shaped member 12 should be substantially narrower than the internal diameter at the upper end of neck [4. Neck l4 may also be internally threaded as shown so as to receive a tubular standard 2!.

My device may be used for many different purposes, particularly in connection with electrical fixtures where it is desired to support a lamp in such a manner that it may be readily adjusted. Thus the standard 2| may serve as a support for the lamp and may also accommodate the electrical feed wires in the interior thereof. The wires can be extended up through the fitting It) and outwardly through the neck 18. Another standard or a socket may be supported on the neck I8.

While it has been pointed out that my fitting may be used in connection with electrical lamps and fixtures it should also be understood that it may be used for any other purpose where an adjustable fitting of this type is required. My fitting may be made of various materials such as metals or various types of plastics. However, the cup-shaped members II should preferably be formed of material which is resilient in character so as to facilitate the separation thereof when the collar is screwed downwardly to permit the insertion and removal of the ring-shaped member l2. Various modifications may be made in the illustrated and described embodiment of my invention without departing from the invention as set forth in the accompanying claim.

I claim- A fitting for electrical fixtures of the type adapted to accommodate electric wires compris ing a pair of cup-shaped members convex on the outside and concave on the inside arranged in spaced confronting relationship and having depending portions in contact with each other and forming a tubular neck, a substantially circular band positioned between the cup-shaped members and rotatably shiftable with respect thereto and having laterally projecting flanges engaging the inner surface of the cup-shaped members, said circular band having a tubular neck attached thereto and communicating with the space in the interior thereof, and a collar disposed around the first mentioned neck for retaining the members in assembled relationship,

the said cup-shaped members and circular band forming a substantially spherical chamber and the tubular necks communicating with the interior thereof, the tubular necks and chamber being free frcm obstructions so as to provide a maximum amount of space for the accommodation of electric wires, said first mentioned neck being tapered andthe collar being shiftable between the upper end so as to exert pressure to cause the cup-shaped members to clamp the circular band against accidental release, and a position adjacent the lower end of the neck so as to permit the shiftable member to be released from between the cup members, and said same tubular neck being provided with means adjacent the bottom thereof to prevent complete withdrawal of the collar so that the cup shaped members are permanently retained in coupled relationship.

LEOPOLD ARMBRUSTEPU. 

